Many moons in the past, Corsair launched the HS50 funds gaming headset, and I used to be fairly impressed with the worth on provide and first rate audio high quality. Now I have been making an attempt out its new and improved model, the Corsair HS55, they usually’re equally spectacular for a $60 pair of cans. Although additionally they face sterner competitors.
The $60 HS55 Stereo is materially similar to the $50 HS50 with regards to tech specs: it is powered by 50mm drivers able to delivering a 20–20,000Hz frequency response, and the microphone seems as a lot a match too. Nevertheless, there are a number of key variations that may make you need to take into account the HS55.
Observe: there are additionally HS55 Encompass headphones for just a little more money, however this assessment solely focuses on the cheaper Stereo model.
Again to the assessment and the HS55 headset is far comfier than Corsair’s earlier funds fashions. The plush earcups on the HS55 make for a stark comparability to the HS50’s stiff and unbudging foam. The HS55 can be lighter, at 284g, which has a big effect on consolation over lengthy durations. I wore this pair for the higher a part of per week, 8 hours a day, and I did not really feel the urge to throw them off at any level. They could be a little sweaty on sizzling days as a result of leatherette materials they’re coated in, however that is a reasonably widespread downside amongst gaming headsets on this value vary.
The most important shake-up is the microphone arm, which is now hooked up completely to the HS55’s left earcup and may be flipped up and out of the way in which if not wanted. That is positively an enchancment over the earlier HS50, which had a detachable mic through 3.5mm jack. Do not decide me, however I’ve misplaced my fair proportion of headset microphones in my profession, however I am not an enormous fan of leaving the mic in entrance of my face all day when it is not in use. A flip-up mic is a a lot better choice, so glad to see one make the reduce with the HS55.
HS55 specs
I’ll say that this mic is not fairly as handy as some others, nevertheless. My colleagues stated it got here by way of just a little quiet in conferences, which wasn’t a lot of a difficulty because the flexi-arm means that you can bend it just a little nearer to your face. Nevertheless, as soon as bent into place, I discovered it tends to catch my hair and relaxation in opposition to my face just a little as soon as flipped up. It is a small factor, however it makes it just a bit bit fiddlier than different headsets I’ve examined.
The microphone sounds nice, in any case, and that is what actually counts right here. I am actually impressed with simply how clear the HS55’s microphone is: the refined tones and nuance of my voice’s luscious timbre (in my view) come by way of precisely in testing, which you’ll take heed to beneath. There is a stunning degree of readability on this mic, even within the decrease ranges, and it is a actually nice resolution for a funds headset.
It is a 3.5mm wired headset, nevertheless, so simply keep in mind that each the microphone and audio high quality might be adversely affected by your motherboard’s DAC/amp or no matter sound card/exterior gadget you plug it into. It should not make an enormous distinction these days, even the most cost effective motherboards have comparatively first rate audio, however value sparing a thought to your holistic audio setup.
Now onto the audio, and the HS55 is not fairly as spectacular in audio output as it’s in mic enter. It is not just like the HS55 sounds unhealthy. It completely does not. However it does have that particular twinge of cheaper driver sound that may be a little too sharp within the increased frequencies.
I am actually impressed with simply how clear the HS55’s microphone is.
That stated, the bass response is surprisingly first rate in a funds headset, and I feel the important thing to that is it is not been whacked as much as 11 because it usually is on many gaming headsets. The bass is just a little missing when it will get right down to the murkiest depths of sub-bass, as you do not actually really feel the thumping bass a lot with the HS55. Although finally this mild contact helps stop a few of the all-too-common mash of sounds on the low-end that may make a funds gaming headset an actual nightmare to take heed to music on. That does not occur with the Corsair HS55, and it is not a nasty pair for listening to some tunes.
It is primarily a gaming headset, although, and it performs higher on this regard. There’s sufficient definition between the highs, mids, and lows to make out totally different sounds in-game, and that is key in case you, like me, play a recreation that depends closely on sound cues to sign hazard. I play plenty of Hunt: Showdown, and I did not really feel like I used to be lacking necessary cues in-game with the HS55 on.
I favored the HS50 for similar reasons, so it appears the identical audio idea and tweaks have been pulled by way of to the HS55.
You are getting a comfier and lighter headset within the HS55 over the HS50, and finally I really feel it is well worth the slight value bump for these enhancements. The HS55 feels just a little cheaper than the HS50, nevertheless, with extra of a plasticky really feel to it. Fortunately it nonetheless feels sturdy and is clearly properly put collectively nonetheless.
However Corsair’s personal is much from this headset’s solely competitors. You’ve got Razer’s Kraken and BlackShark V2 X cans, which each make for a superb contest, and HyperX may be discovered promoting a number of fashions for roughly the identical value, together with the Cloud II when on provide. That is stiff competitors, although the Corsair delivers sufficient to warrant consideration by any gamer seeking to choose up some new cans.
The microphone is the true star right here. It is fantastically clear and gives an incredible finish outcome. You should not wrestle to be heard on Discord or in chat in-game, and you will not be that participant with the muffled and scratchy microphone nobody needs to play with. Whereas the mic’s design is not fairly bang-on how I would prefer it, it is each handy and sounds nice. That basically places the HS55 in competition at this value.
